My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so pretty,

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

the

Rachel must close her eyes

Rachel must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up

girl who wasn’t even

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give

you!” their parents instructed,

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

well pretend

changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder

turned and headed toward

apartment

the door was propped open by

saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

he out on

slid sideways into the house and shut the

you’ve been getting along

she took two steps back.

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

approached her, forcing her

idea what she did

pulled, she staggered after him